18
December
2018
|
14:15
Europe/Amsterdam

In pictures: London Stansted Airport – through the years

For 75 years Stansted Airport has been an integral part of the local community.

From a World War II airfield, to an international airport that’s embarked on a multi-million-pound transformation programme, a lot has changed over the years.

We’ve taken look back through the archives and picked out some photographs from our rich and diverse history.

London Stansted began life as a American Airforce Second World War base in 1943.
London Stansted began life as a American Airforce Second World War base in 1943.
Map of the airfield map in 1943.
Map of the airfield map in 1943.
B-26 Marauders were based at Stansted during WWII. Here are two preparing to take off.
B-26 Marauders were based at Stansted during WWII. Here are two preparing to take off.
The airfield was home to the USAAF Eighth Air Force.
The airfield was home to the USAAF Eighth Air Force.
Aerial shot of the RAF Stansted Mountfitchet in 1947.
Aerial shot of the RAF Stansted Mountfitchet in 1947.
A converted wartime nissen hut served as the terminal building in the 50s and 60s.
A converted wartime nissen hut served as the terminal building in the 50s and 60s.
At the end of the war, the base was handed back to the Civil Aviation Authority and became home to many of Britain’s charter airlines.
At the end of the war, the base was handed back to the Civil Aviation Authority and became home to many of Britain’s charter airlines.
The first jets arrived in the early 60s
The first jets arrived in the early 60s
A new terminal was built in 1969.
A new terminal was built in 1969.
The departure lounge included an outside seating area.
The departure lounge included an outside seating area.
Aerial photo of the airfield from the late sixties.
Aerial photo of the airfield from the late sixties.
A busy baggage hall in the seventies.
A busy baggage hall in the seventies.
The terminal in 1978.
The terminal in 1978.
Inside the departure lounge in 1980.
Inside the departure lounge in 1980.
On 5 June 1983, the shuttle touched down at the airport as part of a European tour. Crowds of 200,000 people turned out to watch.
On 5 June 1983, the shuttle touched down at the airport as part of a European tour. Crowds of 200,000 people turned out to watch.
Space Shuttle visit in 1983.
Space Shuttle visit in 1983.
A Flying Tigers 747 freighter is pictured at Stansted in 1983. Today over 250,000 is shipped through the airport a year.
A Flying Tigers 747 freighter is pictured at Stansted in 1983. Today over 250,000 is shipped through the airport a year.
Stansted's new terminal buliding taking shape 1989.
Stansted's new terminal buliding taking shape 1989.
In 1991, The Queen opened the £400m new terminal, aprons and taxiways at Stansted, which increased the airport's capacity from two to eight million.
In 1991, The Queen opened the £400m new terminal, aprons and taxiways at Stansted, which increased the airport's capacity from two to eight million.
The airport has been the backdrop to many blockbuster films and TV shows. Dustin Hoffman filming Last Chance Harvey in 2008
The airport has been the backdrop to many blockbuster films and TV shows. Dustin Hoffman filming Last Chance Harvey in 2008
Only Fools and Horses used Stansted as a backdrop in the 80s.
Only Fools and Horses used Stansted as a backdrop in the 80s.
From 1997 to 2007, Stansted saw rapid growth of passenger numbers on the back of the boom in low cost air travel.
From 1997 to 2007, Stansted saw rapid growth of passenger numbers on the back of the boom in low cost air travel.
Since 2008, the US President has used Stansted for visits to the UK.
Since 2008, the US President has used Stansted for visits to the UK.
In 2012, Olympic fever hit when a London 2012 shop in the terminal. Many athletes and fans used the airport to get to the games.
In 2012, Olympic fever hit when a London 2012 shop in the terminal. Many athletes and fans used the airport to get to the games.
Emirates started direct flights to Dubai from London Stansted in June this year. The airport's first daily service to the UAE.
Emirates started direct flights to Dubai from London Stansted in June this year. The airport's first daily service to the UAE.
Developing future talent. The airport has teamed up with Harlow College and opened the UK’s first aviation skills college in 2018.
Developing future talent. The airport has teamed up with Harlow College and opened the UK’s first aviation skills college in 2018.
Today, Stansted employs 12,000 people and is one of the fastest growing airport’s in Europe.
Today, Stansted employs 12,000 people and is one of the fastest growing airport’s in Europe.
Aerial photo of the airport today.
Aerial photo of the airport today.
£600m is being invested in facilities over the next five-years to transform the airport.
£600m is being invested in facilities over the next five-years to transform the airport.
London Stansted's new arrivals terminal which is due to open in 2020.
London Stansted's new arrivals terminal which is due to open in 2020.